Giving a baby adult panadol

[Lenny]

I know that paracetamol overdose causes liver failure.
Also, that unless stated, many pill/capsules shouldn't be halved and taken - due to the fact that other things are added to make it into that shape/form, and you cannot guarantee that 50% of the active drug is in 50% of the tablet, ITMS. cutting it by an eighth would be impossibly, and ridiculously risky.

[ellasmummy]

I saw the same thing PZ, as easy as mum giving bub panadol and dad not realising and giving bub panadol. I read of an adult recently who died from organ failure due to taking cold and flu tablets + panadol + lemsip its not taken seriously by enough people as its 'just paracetamol'

[*Ash*]

I just wouldn't feel comfortable taking a risk with dosage, so I wouldn't do it.

ETA - I might feel differently if I was a nurse or Dr. but I am merely a 'lay' person, so wouldn't feel confident taking a 'risk'.

[Bella29]

I just wouldn't feel comfortable taking a risk with dosage, so I wouldn't do it.

ETA - I might feel differently if I was a nurse or Dr. but I am merely a 'lay' person, so wouldn't feel confident taking a 'risk'.

yeah being a nurse means I do feel comfortable and certainly if you don't know what you want to do you shouldn't muck about.

That being said most of the panadol overdoses we saw in emergency were quite deliberate because ppl wanted attention and felt that panadol was a safe option..... little did they know. It is very treatable tho if you know it has happened, you can treat with another drug.

[Eenee]

Sure you can half half of a paracetamol tablet but seriously who can accurately cut a paracetamol tablet into 8ths! Sorry but IMO this should never be done that's what baby paracetamol is designed for. I'd tell your friend to never ever give your child any form of medicine without ringing you first.

[Bella29]

Just asked my dr hubby and he said that you would need to give an 8kg baby, 4 tablets before they would even think about treating.... So guys as worried as you all are you really don't need to be. they would need to be given 200mg/kg for treatment to be considered. I wouldn't expect you guys to know that kind of info. Just a reminder that when I was a kid mums used to crush up panadol with a bit of jam to give to kids. It isn't crazy what she suggested. It just isn't what Babyluv is happy with. that is enough for the carer not to do it, but nothing to panic about

[delphmoon]

Just asked my dr hubby and he said that you would need to give an 8kg baby, 4 tablets before they would even think about treating.... So guys as worried as you all are you really don't need to be. they would need to be given 200mg/kg for treatment to be considered. I wouldn't expect you guys to know that kind of info. Just a reminder that when I was a kid mums used to crush up panadol with a bit of jam to give to kids. It isn't crazy what she suggested. It just isn't what Babyluv is happy with. that is enough for the carer not to do it, but nothing to panic about

Hmm. Both your posts concern me. Paracetamol is one of the most dangerous drugs. Its effects on the liver is significant and can be fatal in the event of overdose. It is expected that health professionals would encourage parents to be VERY careful with paracetamol dosages for this reason so your comment of "don't worry' is alittle misinformed being that based on what you have said regarding dosages- a parent would only need to give the wrong dose 2-3 times to cause an overdose! Thats easy to do across the day!! This is not to mention the effects on a babies liver and kidneys from repeated high dosages.

And, yep- back then adult paracetamol was crushed and given to babies- thats probably why paracetamol is now recommended to be given as an oral suspension to kids so the dose is right for their weight rather than just 'oh yeah- 1/8th of a tab will do'. And I would be interested in knowing the overdose stats from back then to.

Anyway- I would be VERY concerned an angry at anyone being so complacent as to not bother checking correct dosages before giving ANY medication to my child.

[Babyluv]

Thanks for your post Delphmoon.
I always wonder about the actual statistics when someone says when we were kids....
Just because it didn't harm 1 person doesn't mean many weren't harmed. I believe we have these warnings for the best interests of our kids, not to scare us or make life difficult for us.